December 2008 Archives

Sharon Naomi Canty, 55, died Dec.23 at her home in Newport News, Va., after a brave battle with uterine cancer.

Born Dec. 3, 1953, in Norfolk, Va., she was the youngest daughter of Vernon and Naomi Blount.

Sharon was best friend and loving wife to Reginald McCoy Canty Sr. for almost four decades. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor. Sharon enjoyed shoe shopping, reading romance novels and spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren and other family members.

Her two favorite holidays were Halloween and Christmas, times when she could decorate the house and front yard with lights.

She loved to cook and spent more than 20 years in the culinary arts as a chef at several kitchens at Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va.

In addition to her husband, Sharon is survived by three daughters: Debbie A. Downs and her husband Bryan, of Newport News, Va.; Michele D. Canty, of York, Pa.; and Regina M. Foertsch and her husband, Rick, of Alexandria, Va.; her grandchildren, Jason, Aisha and Kaiya Downs; other close relatives, and her good friends and neighbors in Prince Court, Newport News, Va. She was preceded in death by her son, Reginald McCoy Canty Jr., in 2000.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Sharon N. Canty's name as a Gift in Memory to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or online by clicking here.

Her family would like to send its heartfelt thanks to all who have offered their support and condolences during this difficult time. They are humbled by the charity, and very grateful for all that has been done.

Ah, the ugly Christmas sweater. Just about everyone has a story about one.

It's a holiday staple like turkey, holiday lights or the dreaded fruit cake.

Take a break from running around like a crazy person in last-minute holiday prep mode, and look at this gallery of ugly Christmas sweaters submitted by various users for the slideshow.

It is awesome. My personal favorite is the guy with the sweater vest. He looks fabulous!

I hope you get everything done before the holiday. I'm really trying to, but it isn't working.

My co-worker, Nikki, and I went out to dinner this week. While in the parking lot, we saw this sign on the back of a Jeep.

We had all kinds of fun trying to figure out the owner's motivations, and used some choice words to describe him or her. Perhaps it is supposed to be funny, or at least make people stop and look at it.

Many walking by the Jeep did just that, with some making comments about the declaration. I snapped a picture of it, so I could blog about it.

I don't want to taint your views, so I'm going to let you judge for yourself, with this nifty poll.

The year isn't over yet, but it's not too early for the 2008 worst lists.

To those who make the lists early - God bless you.

Here's the Undressed list of celebrity fashion missteps. Make sure to read the descriptions of why these celebs got it terribly wrong.

Got a few minutes to waste at work today?

Sure you do.

If so, click here to check out the top viral videos of 2008.

My favorites, which you've seen here, are the Tina Fey as Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

I really enjoyed it when Queen Latifah joined the fun as the debate moderator, and when Will Ferrell did his best President Bush impression.

So, enjoy some viral video now.

You can work later.

A study (yes, this is an entry about ANOTHER health study), shows a like between active transportation" and less obesity in 17 industrialized countries across Europe, North America and Australia.

The translation: If you walk, ride a bike or use public transportation, your country is leaner.

I found this next part to be just shocking! (Ok, not really - I can totally believe this.)

"Americans, with the highest rate of obesity, were the least likely to walk, cycle or take mass transit, according to the study in a recent issue of the Journal of Physical Activity and Health," the article states.

So, what can we do?

Take the train.

Walk to work.

Get a bike.

If other countries can do it, we can do, right?

I think this is so funny.

It could be because I'm a cat owner.

Either way, the folks that make these have a lot of time on their hands.

Here's some cats singing Christmas songs to get you into the holiday spirit.

Enjoy.

You don't say.

Science is finally verifying what fat folks have known for a long time.

Sugar is addictive, and can be as bad as hard to kick as other addictions.

Again, you don't say.

I can't believe they needed a study to tell them this.

Have they ever talked to ANYONE who has been on a diet and had to cut out sugar?

It's hard, it sucks and it makes you grouchy.

Kind of like trying to kick a habit.

This would be our DUH! moment of the day.

One of my co-workers, Joan, sent me a gallery of Oprah over the years.

Click here to see Oprah's weight at different times since 1994.

I have to say - she looks sickly thin in that shot with Bono. In the others, it looks like she found a healthy medium.

Just saying.

For those trying to lose weight locally, Lifestyles Fitness and Weight Loss Studio is offering a Biggest Loser Challenge.

The 12-week program is open to male and females of all ages. The program is based on the NBC TV show "The Biggest Loser."

Personal trainers from Eckert Fitness Group will lead weekly group workouts and nutrition lessons.

Three free information sessions will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29, 9 a.m. Jan 3 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at Lifestyles Fitness and Weight Loss Studio, 2820 Whiteford Road, Springettsbury Township.

For details or to register, call Chad Eckert at 259-1419 or e-mail chad@eckertfitnessgroup.com.

This could be something to blog about. Stay tuned for more.

At more than 279, I'm heavier than Oprah.

In this AP story, Oprah talks about how she is mad at herself for letting herself get to this point - AGAIN.

I swear I feel like Oprah is writing about me in this story. (Except I don't have as much money as she has, or the extensive wardrobe of the Chicago-grown diva.)

She talked about trying to get an outfit together for the new President's bash in January.

Oprah had one thing in mind, but doesn't think it will fit. How many of us know that feeling?

I was cleaning out my closet last week - A.) Because I need to get rid of some stuff and B.) Because I can't fit a lot of stuff in it.

I tried on one of my favorite shirts. Not only does it not fit, I couldn't even get the buttons close together.

I wanted to cry. I threw the shirt in the charity pile with several others.

I keep trying to tell myself I'm blessed to be alive and healthy. Weight loss is a process, and it will take time. That process will have its ups and downs.

This list is out, and several stars were named the "trainwrecks" of 2008.

Interestingly enough, some of our favorites, including Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan, were missing from the list.

The list also included some obvious ones, like Amy Winehouse, whose cracktastic year is one of legend, or the makings of a bad country western song.

She's a drinker, likes drugs, has a husband in jail and has had trouble with the law herself. She's been in and out of the hospital for "lung" infections (crack will do that to you), and she hasn't had any recent public performances because she looks like hell.

My closet is a mess.

Remember the post I did on how organized and beautiful it is?

No more.

I think I may have to break up with my skinny clothes.

Some keep them around as a motivation. They just depress me.

The cute shirts in smaller sizes are just a reminder that I can't fit them.

I know, I should be more positive, and use them as a goal to aspire to get back into them.

I've tried that, but it doesn't seem to be working. Looking at the cute jeans I could fit many, many moons ago seems to be making it worse.

So, they've got to go.

I was chained to my desk for most of the day yesterday.

At some point, I knew I'd have to go to the bathroom.

When I did, there was a woman in there talking on the phone.

She stopped in mid-laugh when I came in, and stared at me.

I was like. .. Ok. . .

So, I kept on my way and went into the stall, but not before she gave me the look of death.

My bad.

Was I being rude by using the public bathroom in the office?

Where are you?

No comments.

No suggestions.

Nothing from you guys. . .

I'm starting to feel a little unloved.

Actually, I'm swamped, so I haven't been the best blogger in the best few days. Maybe it's me.

So, I need to hear from you.

Let me know what you guys want to read about.

Do you ever look at the magazine photos of celebs in bikinis and say, "I wish I had a body like that?"

Or do you react like most women, who secretly wish the featured celeb would wake up with an awful case of cottage cheese butt, hips and thighs?

I'm not saying which side I'm on, but I think you can guess.

In this commentary, an MSN writer talks about why these cover shots should come with a warning label.

I was good over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Aside from lots of lean turkey breast, I did not overeat this holiday.

No extra helpings of mashed potatoes.

No second square of stuffing.

No heaping spoonful of candied yams.

No going back for a second plate.

No desserts of sweet potato pie for me.

Nope, this woman resisted the temptation.

How did you guys do?